Andrew Koch named development VP at the Gardner Institute
The Gardner Institute for Excellence
September 7, 2010
The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education announced today that Andrew “Drew” K. Koch , a seasoned administrator with nearly two decades of experience in higher education, will join the organization as its Vice President for New Strategy, Development, and Policy Initiatives. In this role, Koch will work with the Institute’s staff to facilitate strategic efforts designed to measurably transform and enhance undergraduate student learning and retention. A significant portion of this work will be based on the Gardner Institute’s comprehensive “Foundations of Excellence®” self-study and planning process.
“Drew comes to the Institute with considerable experience in both public and private higher education,” said John N. Gardner, the Institute’s co-founder and President. “During his career, he has contributed to work with undergraduate education, strategic planning, fund raising, and enrollment management. Most recently, he applied this experience to help Purdue University enhance the overall undergraduate experience, yielding substantial increases in first-to-second year retention and six-year graduation rates. My colleagues and I feel that his work in achieving these kinds of results make him a terrific addition to our team.”
Most recently, Koch worked at Purdue University, where he served as the Director of Student Access, Transition and Success Programs. While at Purdue, Koch helped shape the institution’s New Synergies strategic plan, and he served as a steering committee member for the University’s most recent reaccreditation process. In addition, Koch contributed to the design and execution of the University’s Access and Success fundraising campaign. Launched in April 2008, the campaign has raised more than $110 million to date toward its $304 million goal.
Prior to his time at Purdue, Koch served as Director of Freshman Advancement and Associate Dean at Hofstra University and as Assistant to the Dean of Summer College at the University of Richmond. He holds a B.A. in History and German and an M.A. in History from the University of Richmond, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University. He and his wife, Dr. Sara Stein Koch, have three children.
